Massaging attachment for toothbrushes



June 23,. 1953 A. J. FERRARI I 2,642,604

MASSAGING ATTACHMENT FOR TOOTHBRUSHES Filed na 17, 1947 INVENTORZ Auzmeo d. FERRARI BYWg a Patented June 23, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'MASSAGING ATTACHMENT FOR TOOTHBBUSHES Amerigo L'Ferrari, Stapleton, N, Y. Application May 17, 1947, Serial No."748,744

This invention relates to an attachment for toothbrushes to aid in massaging the gums, without in any way interfering With-the use of the bristles of the brush or making the use of the brush more difficult.

The invention is developed in an attachment which is mounted on the brush and provides a plurality of massaging surfaces on the sides of the brush head, which are located outwardly of the scrubbing tips of the bristles, and is so mounted that it can be easily detached from the brush head, but when mounted in place on the brush head, is capable of being applied to the gums so that they can be massaged Without injury and the duty of making a complete daily hygienic supervision of the oral cavity properly completed with one implement.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a massaging band of elastic rubber, which can be stretched on the head of a toothbrush, and which will present toothed sides for gum massaging.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a toothbrush with an offset head having a massaging band of elastic rubber stretched thereon.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the combined rubber massaging band and the toothbrush.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, with portions broken away to expose the coupling ends of the band.

Fig. 3 is a front end elevation.

Fig. 4. is a perspective view of the massaging band detached.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view, taken on line 55 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates the practical reduction of the invention to use, to designates a conventional type of toothbrush, having a handle II and a brush head [2 formed thereon, which is provided with the tufts l3 of any suitable bristle stock, hair or synthetic.

On the brush head I2, a rubber band [4 is 1 Claim. (01. 15-410) stretched, and for this purpose a band is provided with a slot l5.-in one end thereoi,.which slot is adapted to receive the handle ll, while the other end [6 is provided with a slot to slip over the forward end of the brush head I 2.

This band is formed with massaging teeth I! on one side thereof, and massaging teeth [8 on the opposite side, which are of elastic rubber, natural or synthetic. The teeth I8 are shown to be of V-shaped construction, and the teeth I! are shown to be cylindrical.

The teeth I! and [8 are backed by the side edges l2 and I2 of the brush head I2, which thereby prevents displacement of the sides of the rubber massaging band on the brush head, when the teeth on either side of the brush head are moved in massaging action back and forth over the gums.

In moving the teeth I! and I8 against the gums of the user, the sides of the rubber elastic band will stretch. This stretching and the yielding of the elastic rubber teeth will give the gums a retreshing massaging action which will stimulate the flow of blood through the tissues.

To prevent displacement of the massaging band on the brush and its more ready attachment and removal, I provide a toothbrush 20 with a brush head 2!, having an ofisetintegral block or base 22 on which the elastic rubber massaging band 23 is stretched. This base, shown in Figs. 6- and '7, is slightly shorter in length than the head 2| and is also narrower, so that the outer and upper marginal edge of the head provides a seat 24 for the rubber massaging band 23. The teeth [1' and I8 of this band project well outwardly of the head 2!, so

that the sides of the brush head and the scrubbing tufts 26 thereof will not obstruct of the massaging teeth l1 and l8.

In this form, these teeth are shown to be in the form of round projections and are also formed of elastic, and therefore, stretchable rubber.

By means of the invention, any standard toothbrush may be equipped with a rubber massaging unit which can be worked back and forth with any tooth paste, over the gums of the oral cavity of the user by grasping the handle and applying manual effort to it.

When it is desired to clean the massaging band, it may be readily detached from the brush and the use subjected to washing when so separated from the brush.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be 3 understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed, and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

In a toothbrush having anlelongated handle with a head member at one end thereof and bristles extended from one face of the head member, a base projected from the face of the head member opposed to the face from which the bristles extend, a continuous band of resilient material engaged about the periphery of said base, and massaging teeth extended laterally out ward from the outer faces of the opposed sides of said band, said base being slightly smaller in peripheral measurement than the head member 1 and extended concentrically from the head member so that edge portions of the head member project beyond the edges of said base forming shoulders against which the adjacent edges of said band are abutted, said projecting edge portions of said head member being of a width equal to the thickness of said band so that the outer periphery of said band will be flush with the outer periphery of said head.

AMERIGO J. FERRARI.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,022,920 Anderson Apr. 9, 1912 1,251,250 Libby Dec. 25, 1917 1,408,520 Larsen Mar. '7, 1922 1,993,662 Green Mar. 5, 1935 2,139,245 Ogden Dec. 6, 1938 12,418,485 Shipley Apr. 8, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 495,982 Great Britain Nov. 10, 1938. 

